Best DVC to rent for 5?

[Emily Wilson]

We are planning to travel to Disney starting within the first week of January 2018 for a 7 day, 6 night stay. I am currently looking at renting DVC points to get a larger room to accommodate our family.(I am completely open to 1 or 2 bedrooms!) There are four adults and a 15 year old. We would prefer to stay in either the MK or AK resort areas as we stayed at the Boardwalk last time and we want to try something new. Any recommendations?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If your dates include marathon weekend, you're already too late for most studios that sleep 5.

To sleep 5 in a studio in MK area, it's Boulder Ridge, Poly or VGF. Holes already for marathon. BLT and VGF 1BRs also sleep 5; BRV 1BR sleeps 5 but you have to BYObed for the 5th.

At AKV, to sleep 5 you need a 1 bedroom. Old Key West and Saratoga also sleep 5 in 1BRs, but Saratoga, again, is BYObed.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Since you said you are doing it for the larger room, I'm assuming you are doing a studio and not a one or two bedroom. If that's wrong, let me know as my answer might be different. Bay Lake Tower has some of the smallest studios on property at only 339 square feet. By comparison, Grand Floridian's studios are 374 square feet, Villas at Wilderness Lodge at 356, and Polynesian's are a whopping 447-465 square feet. Animal Kingdoms are anywhere from 316-366. Now, you also need to make sure that the resort you are looking into can accommodate 5 adults. Currently, I believe that only Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and Boardwalk can accommodate 5. So, that eliminates BLT and AKL.

The thing I love about Grand Floridian and Polynesian is that you have both a shower and a bathtub rather than the shower tub combo that you have a Wilderness Lodge. So, I'd pick one of those two. Then, since I prefer the theme at Polynesian and it is larger, it would win out.

 

[Emily Wilson]

Since you said you are doing it for the larger room, I'm assuming you are doing a studio and not a one or two bedroom. If that's wrong, let me know as my answer might be different. Bay Lake Tower has some of the smallest studios on property at only 339 square feet. By comparison, Grand Floridian's studios are 374 square feet, Villas at Wilderness Lodge at 356, and Polynesian's are a whopping 447-465 square feet. Animal Kingdoms are anywhere from 316-366. Now, you also need to make sure that the resort you are looking into can accommodate 5 adults. Currently, I believe that only Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, and Boardwalk can accommodate 5. So, that eliminates BLT and AKL.

The thing I love about Grand Floridian and Polynesian is that you have both a shower and a bathtub rather than the shower tub combo that you have a Wilderness Lodge. So, I'd pick one of those two. Then, since I prefer the theme at Polynesian and it is larger, it would win out.

I am definitely open to a 1 or 2 bedroom!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Beach Club and Boardwalk studios fit 5. AKV, BLT, SSR, OKW and CCV do not.

 

[JaimeAyers]

I am definitely open to a 1 or 2 bedroom!

Animal kingdom Lodge , Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs are going to give you the most bang for your buck. Animal Kingdom (standard view and up) and Old Key West 1 bedrooms sleep 5, but you would need a 2 bedroom at Saratoga Springs to sleep more than 4. Bay Lake Tower 1 bedrooms sleep 5 as well and it's really close to MK, so that's a bonus. I've stayed in a 2 bedroom at Animal Kingdom Lodge and LOVED IT! It's really all about your preference in terms of which park you'd like to be closest to and resort theme.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Great! In that case, the sky's the limit! Sort of, anyways. Polynesian has studios and bungalows, but that's it. I can't really recommend a bungalow because it is so much money for what you get (in my opinion). Bay Lake Tower's 1 and 2 bedroom units are larger than those at Wilderness Lodge and, while I love Wilderness Lodge, I don't love the villas as much and don't think the resort is as convenient as Bay Lake Tower. So, of those two, I'd eliminate VWL. That takes us to BLT, VGF, or AKL and all of these can sleep up to 5 adults in a 1 bedroom (you might want to do a 2 bedroom just for the extra space, if the money isn't as much of a concern). Grand Floridian's are the largest rooms of those 3. Bay Lake Tower and AKL 2 bedrooms are the same size which means that BLT's 1 bedroom is larger than those at AKL. Personally, given all of this, I'd go with Bay Lake Tower for the views, convenience to Magic Kingdom (you can walk there!), convenience to Epcot (TTC is first stop on the monorail!) and theme. But, I have to admit I'm not a fan of the themes of Grand Floridian or Animal Kingdom Lodge.

 

[westie55]

It seems like you are primarily interested in 1 or 2 bedrooms, which I definitely suggest with the number/ages of those in your party. I've stayed with 4 adults and a baby in a 1 bedroom and while the villa was spacious, I don't think the sofa bed is comfortable for adults for an extended trip (that's where I slept). I would do it again but only if I couldn't afford a 2 BR, which would be more comfortable. AKV will be cheaper than the MK resorts and easier to get. They are all wonderful resorts. I personally do not like the decor or the grounds at the Contemporary so avoid BLT but to each his own. Pick the theming that appeals most to your family. Since the 11 month window has passed, you may not be able to get certain resorts and availability may narrow your choices.

 

[georgejr]

Personally I would not rent a studio for 4 adults and a 15 year old. Since you are open to AKL, I would suggest a 1 bedroom at AKL Kidani. You get 3 sleeping surfaces, a king size bed, queen size sleeper sofa and a twin sleeper chair. In addition to a full kitchen, you also have 2 bathrooms! Bay Lake Tower has the same arrangement in their 1 bedroom, but for me the resort theming at AKL trumps BLT every time. Grand Floridian 1 bedrooms are also roomy and sleep 5 well with a murphy style pull down bed instead of the sleeper chair. Its a beautiful property and the accommodations feel very upscale.

 

[Deb & Bill]

With four adults and a 15 yr old, I'd go for a two bedroom villa. OKW will have two queen beds, one king bed, one queen sleeper and one twin sleeper. AKV (not value villas) and BLT will have one king, three queen beds (meaning either two beds and one sleeper or one bed and two sleepers), plus the twin sleeper chair. AKV-Kidani Village will have three full bathrooms in a two bedroom, AKV - Jambo House will have two full bathrooms and the two bedroom villa will be a lockoff. BLT will also have three bathrooms in the two bedroom villa.